Resource Library

Visit the Debra Fish Library at Think Small’s offices, located at 10 Yorkton Court, Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Debra Fish Library is open for browsing and borrowing during Think Small’s open hours, which are 9AM – 5PM Monday through Friday. The librarian is in the office on Wednesdays and Thursdays and is also available in-person by appointment.

Saint Paul residents can place requests online for pickup at the Debra Fish Library or from any other Saint Paul Public Library location by visiting sppl.org. Browse the full Debra Fish collection online at Debra Fish Library’s Collection.

Other Minnesota residents can place requests online through MNLINK, an interlibrary catalog that allows Minnesota library users to borrow materials from libraries throughout the state. Browse the full Debra Fish collection online at Debra Fish Library’s Collection.

Minnesota residents who live outside of the Saint Paul Public Library system can place their requests online through MNLINK, an interlibrary loan catalog that allows Minnesota library users to borrow materials from libraries throughout the state. Browse the full Debra Fish collection online at Debra Fish Library’s Collection.

All resources can be checked out for an initial period of 3 weeks (21 days). Items will automatically renew for 3 additional loan periods. Items will NOT renew automatically if another library patron has requested the resource.

Items borrowed through interlibrary loan cannot be renewed. Please reach out to Jennie at librarian@thinksmall.org for help with this policy.

Visit Saint Paul Public Library’s Borrowing and Returning Policy page for more information.

Saint Paul Public Library, including the Debra Fish Library, does not charge late fines.

You will be billed the replacement cost for checked out items that are long overdue or returned damaged or incomplete.

The replacement fee is non-refundable. The Saint Paul Public Library does not accept customer-purchased replacements.

Fees can be paid in person by cash or check or online using a credit card. To pay online, please visit https://sppl.org/pay, and log in using your library card number and password.

Library cards are FREE.

Saint Paul residents can visit any Saint Paul Public Library location, including the Debra Fish Library, to get a library card. Please bring a current picture ID (government or business) with name, date of birth, and current address OR current picture ID (government or business) plus any combination of documents that provide proof of name, date of birth, and current address.

Other Minnesota residents can register their library card for use at Saint Paul Public Library by visiting any Saint Paul Public Library location. The same identification requirements for getting a new card apply (see instructions for Saint Paul residents).

Twin Cities Metro area residents (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington County) who don’t already have a library card from their home library system can apply for one at the Saint Paul Public Library.

We will issue a temporary card and then forward your application on to your home library. After you have received your permanent card, you can register that card for full borrowing privileges.

Additional information about public library cards is available at Library Cards | Saint Paul Public Library.

The Debra Fish Library is open for browsing and borrowing during Think Small’s open hours, which are 9 AM – 5 PM Monday through Friday. The librarian is in the office on Wednesdays and Thursdays and is also available in-person by appointment.

If you would like to schedule a time to meet, please contact Jennie at libarian@thinksmall.org or (651) 641-3544.

Appointments can be made with the librarian by emailing Jennie at librarian@thinksmall.org.

Debra Saggau Fish was born January 1, 1951, in Fairmont, Minnesota. She attended Macalester College (1968-1972) where she earned a B.A. in Russian language and Soviet area studies. After graduating from the University of St. Thomas in 1976 with a master’s degree in educational leadership, she began working as training coordinator at Think Small, known as Toys ‘N Things at that time.

During her 8 years with the agency, Debra served in many roles, one of which was library director during a time of transition for the library. Originally, the Toys ‘N Things library, by then Resources for Child Caring (RCC), was a subscription-based toy and equipment library that also accepted donations of craft and other supplies that could be repurposed for art supplies. These supplies were kept in bins for educators to take from as they needed. By the early 1980s, when Debra began working as director, the toys and equipment had been donated to Roseville area schools and the collection consisted of books.

Debra left the agency in 1984, although she maintained a close relationship with Think Small until her death in 1993. In 1996, four thousand dollars donated to RCC in her memory were used to develop the library’s collection and the library became the Debra S. Fish Early Childhood Resource Library.

Anyone can browse the Debra Fish Library collection using Saint Paul Public Library’s search box. Use the Saint Paul search box to request a Debra Fish Library item if you have a Saint Paul Public Library card. MnLink allows Minnesota library users to borrow items from libraries outside of their own library system, so use the MnLink search box to make a request for something from our library if you are not using a Saint Paul Public Library card.